14:00 Hamilton

Thursday 16 July 2020

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:00

Heineken UK Scottish Stewards' Cup Handicap

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 1m 10.88s

(10)

Air Raid²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 97| CD

11/2

Won this race from a 10lb lower mark last year and is 3-3 over C&D; was always going to be up against it in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot last time but this is easier. Tough ask and a personal best needed under top weight this time.

Form: 10100-0

(9)

Teruntum Star^p²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: D Allan| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 94| D

66/1

Finished last in this race last year and was also last in the Wokingham in his latest start; plenty to find with Air Raid on those runs and needs a lot to go his way for him to reverse the form.

Form: 0351-00

(1)

Meraas⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 97| D

9/4

Unexposed and progressing nicely until racing too keenly at Newmarket last time out. That was his first try with significant ease in the ground so the conditions might again play a part here; but no surprise if he bounces back for an in-form yard.

Form: 2119

(2)

Cold Stare^p1,t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 91| D

5/1

Due to go up 2lb in future handicaps after a much improved effort at Haydock latest (was eased in a Class 2 handicap on his seasonal debut at Newcastle in June and that run can now be forgotten); could be a player with cheekpieces now applied.

Form: 4703-02

(6)

Admirality¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 89| D

4/1

Posted a couple of solid efforts so far in 2020 and interesting that he's 5lb lower than when he was fourth in this race last year; wouldn't want too much rain to get into the ground but does handle cut so certainly no back number; good chance.

Form: 5856-65

(3)

Monoski¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 90| D

20/1

Had some high-level assignments as a two-year-old - his fourth placed effort in the National Stakes (Group 1) being the pick of his juvenile form - but three runs in 2020 have brought nothing but a 10lb drop in the ratings. Needs to up his game.

Form: 444-683

(5)

Music Society²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Nathan Evans| T: T D Easterby| OR: 85| C| D

8/1

Won three times last season (the Bronze Cup at Ayr being the highlight) and has gone well here in the past (won over 5f from a 15lb lower mark last June). Will be sharper after a blow-out at Haydock last month and is another to monitor closely.

Form: 02110-7

(4)

Al Qahwa^p¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Jamie Gormley| T: K Scott| OR: 84| D

150/1

Useful form for Michael Halford in Ireland as a 2-Y-O and also registered decent levels during his time with David O'Meara; had issues since and lots to prove after struggling when tried over 1m here on his debut for a new yard earlier this month.

Form: 6207/0-8

(8)

Call Me Ginger¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: K Stott| T: J S Goldie| OR: 83| D

6/1

Won a novice stakes over 6f (good to firm) at Redcar last September but held in handicaps since. The best of those efforts give him place claims at this level but he's on a workable mark and his shrewd trainer can find a race for him soon.

Form: 168-056

Non-Runners

(7)

George Bowen⁹

Weight: 9-1| Age: 8

T: R A Fahey J: T Hamilton

Forecasts

Meraas (9/4), Admirality (4/1), Cold Stare (5/1), George Bowen (5/1), Air Raid (11/2), Call Me Ginger (6/1), Music Society (8/1), Monoski (20/1), Teruntum Star (66/1), Al Qahwa (150/1)

Air Raid is capable of making a fist of things as he bids to win this race for the second year in succession. He's only 2lb higher than for his 2019 success here and can go close if top weight doesn't scupper his chances. Stablemates Meraas and Monoski both have scope to improve and are others to consider. However, ADMIRALTY is weighted to better his finishing position in last year's renewal and looks a tempting proposition at the likely odds. Cold Stare is 2lb well-in for this in comparison to future handicap and will also be a player if he responds well in the first-time cheekpieces. George Bowen and Music Society also add spice.